IUSB adopts new course assignment policy

Monetary award introduced to offset loss of course choice.

Monetary award introduced to offset loss of course choice.

February 18, 2006|MARGARET FOSMOE Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND -- Adjunct professors at Indiana University South Bend who have earned the distinction of merit status no longer are guaranteed their first choice of classes after full-time professors. Instead, starting this year, IUSB will present an annual award to honor an outstanding adjunct faculty member. The award will include a $1,000 cash prize. Some professors are concerned about the recent administrative decision regarding course assignments. Others accept it, but question why faculty members weren't included in the discussion before the change was announced in January. The administrative cabinet (deans and top administrators) made the decision without consulting faculty, said Kevin Smant, a history department lecturer and chairman of the campus Academic Senate's non-tenure-track faculty policy committee. "We heard about it after the fact," he said. Since 1982, adjuncts with merit status have been given their first choice of classes up to two per semester after full-time faculty course assignments are made. Under the new policy, if a department chair doesn't like a particular adjunct faculty member, the chair could simply stop assigning that professor any classes, Smant said. "We have to make assignment of classes based on the best interests of the students, the budget and all factors," Alfred Guillaume, vice chancellor for academic affairs, said Friday. Even full-time tenured professors don't have the privilege of guaranteed first choice of classes they teach, he said. Guillaume said he views the new annual associate faculty award as a good replacement for the loss of course choice. It is not clear what prompted the change in policy. Associate faculty is the term given to instructors who are not full-time, tenure-track professors. Associate professors -- also known as adjuncts -- usually teach one or two classes a semester. At IUSB, associate faculty who have taught at least two semesters a year for at least six years may apply for merit status. It's a lengthy process that involves submitting a portfolio for review and written recommendations. It's considered an honor to receive merit status. The number of professors affected by the change is small. IUSB employs about 269 associate faculty members. A total of 24 associate faculty members were awarded merit status between 1984 and 2005, but some of those employees have retired. The campus Academic Senate plans to discuss the issue further at its March meeting. Staff writer Margaret Fosmoe: mfosmoe@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6329